The week-long initiative will kick-off on Wednesday, 3 November, and Young customers are encouraged to donate non-perishable food items into the specially marked Local Community Food Drive trolley in-store.

According to the latest FoodBank Hunger Report, one in six adults haven't had enough to eat in the last year and 1.2 million children have gone hungry during the same period.

Donated items will be distributed either directly to a store's local community food relief charity partner, or via one of Woolworths' major food relief partners, such as OzHarvest, FareShare and Foodbank, and their network of local charities they support, to ensure Young residents in need receive the donated essential food items.

Woolworths Young has also committed to donating a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables to the Local Community Food Drive and their local community's food relief charity.

Woolworths Young Store Manager, Kerri Smith said: "Food insecurity continues to be a real issue in communities across Australia and the past year has made it even more difficult for a growing number of families to access nutritious food and essentials.

As the Fresh Food People, Woolies Young are committed to supporting local communities and helping those less fortunate, particularly as we head into the festive season.

"I encourage Young customers to join us and make a donation to the Woolworths Local Community Food Drive when they shop with us. By simply adding a non-perishable product in the specially marked trolley, you will be helping someone in need in our local community."

Items that have been identified by local charities as the core range of essential food relief items needed by individuals and families include:

Young customers can donate in-store at Woolworths Young to the Woolworths Local Community Food Drive from 3 - 9 November.